The Promise to Finish: Why the Work Never Ends

Do you ever feel like you’ve hit a wall? Maybe you’ve been trying to maintain a standard of discipleship—the kind of consistent effort we talk about in missionary discussions—and you just feel depleted. You’re running on fumes, and the struggle with the flesh feels heavier than usual.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been there. You’ve been in the field, or maybe you've been in your own living room, praying for the Spirit to lift you up, and you’ve wondered: *Is the hard part over? Did the hard part even exist?*

The song "Finish What He Started" hits right at that tension. It’s a profound reminder that while the work on the cross was eternally finished, the glorious, messy, ongoing work of becoming more like Christ is the promise that keeps us going. It’s the promise that even when we feel like we’re failing, the Father and the Savior are faithful to finish the work they started in us.

The Difference Between Finished and Faithful

In the gospel, we are taught that the Atonement is complete. When Christ shed His blood, the record was sealed, and the power of sin was nullified. That is finished. There is no more work to be done there. But that finished work doesn't mean the journey is over. It means the foundation is solid enough to support a lifetime of growth.

The song beautifully captures this concept: the struggle isn't about earning our way to heaven, but about walking the covenants and allowing the Spirit to refine us on the way. It's about recognizing that even when we stumble, even when the struggles feel overwhelming, we are not abandoned.

The Spirit’s Guarantee

Think about the amazing power of the Spirit. It’s not a fleeting feeling; it's a divine presence that dwells within us, guaranteeing that we have the power to keep pressing forward. This is the great promise of the covenant path. Christ isn't just saying, "I forgive you"; He's saying, "I will be there with you through it all, even in your worst and your ugliest."

This realization changes everything. It shifts the focus from *what we must do* to *who is already within us*. It moves us from performance anxiety to divine assurance. We are not expected to be perfect, but we are eternally promised that the power of the gospel will sustain us.

Being a Disciple, Always and Everywhere

This is the heart of the modern missionary disciple. We are taught that we don't need to be in the MTC or actively serving in a field to be disciples. We are disciples in our jobs, in our homes, and in our communities. We are Internet missionaries, and we are called to finish what He started in us, right where we are.

If you are feeling discouraged, remember the promise. The Spirit is your guide, your power, and your constant companion. Don't wait for a major life event or a perfect moment to feel connected to the gospel. Show up today. Be Christlike today. Use the tools available to you.

Your Weekly Disciple Challenge

If you need a place to focus this commitment, I highly recommend participating in our free weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a wonderful way to anchor yourself in scripture and feel the Spirit’s guidance as you focus on the covenant path. Details are in the comments!

Deepening Your Knowledge

For those of you who want to dig deeper into the mechanics of grace and the Atonement, I recommend checking out the latest writings by an Iron Rod author. LivingBook has an excellent section dedicated to the nature of covenants that ties directly into this feeling of perpetual growth.

Finally, if you are struggling to articulate this beautiful, complex doctrine to someone—maybe a friend, or even just yourself—don't forget Davee! He's still ready to walk you through the hardest questions an investigator might ask, helping you feel confident in sharing the power of the gospel. He's always here to help you prep for those important missionary discussions.